As the title states, I am in a position where I can change things around.
In addition to my 45, I was going to set up a 2.5 Pico, but went against it do to extreme maintenance issues. The evaporation would be high and water changes would be more frequent then I would be upto. So that has turned to a definite no.Today I went to my LFS to return an item, and saw a gorgeous AGA 37 gallon with stand for $320. I think the price is fair, but it is for an incredible cabinet. This thing is definitely upto nice furniture quality, solid wood, no laminate. It is the same brand my dad is getting for his incoming 210, BRI.
I am able to afford this right now, and all of my equipment will transfer *celebrate. My 45 gallon pentagonal prizm is PetSMart brand. I hate the change in views through the 3 front panels. I bought it as it would be the difference in the Oceanic 30g Cube, and it was more of an impulse buy, just to have the space. Then I went on to buy 30# of sand and 60# of LR. That was my good move. My next bad move would be leaving the 17W stock light on the tank for 4 months. Now all of the filtration and lighting is right, and that took until my 10th month. I think my main deal is I just dove into this waaay too fast. The best thing I did in the beginning was let the rock cycle for 1.5 months. Now here is my chance to fix myself.
My position..
I would be setting this up as a FOWLR again, as I like the beauty of coralline and crap on the rocks more than corals, and I can't afford them.
I think my tank is overstocked (although it is still at its limits) and I would like to bring the population density and bioload down.
My current stocking list:
-3 Stripe Damsel
-Longnose Hawkfish
-Gold Stripe Maroon Clownfish Pair
-Coral Beauty Angel
-Fumanchu Lionfish
-Snowflake Eel
...and the biggie...
-Yellow Tang (I know, I know, Tang Police, hold your horses, I am admitting myself. I thought that a 45 was close enough to a 50, but now, after I have actually learned what I needed to before I began, I know it wasn't gallons, it was the 48"(Thanks MFT!). He will be gone, and I am sorry to those whom this offends.)
Invertebrates:
-Longspine Urchin
-Bubble Tip Anemone
-Rock Flower Anemone
-Emerald Mithrax Crab (1, the rest my eel ate, hehehe)
-Turbo Snails (4)
-Blue Leg Hermits (2, hitchikers)
Now, along with changing shape of the tank, I am going to change the stocking list. I would like to keep the following, but would also appreciate some outside views.
-Snowflake Eel (14")
-Fumanchu Lionfish (2")
-Female Clownfish (3.5")
-Male Clownfish (2")
-Longspine Urchin (6")
-Bubble Tip Anemone (6-7", but maybe get a much larger one)
I would like to keep the stocking light, and enjoy having to sit for a moment to see things, although the Tang is distracting. I have to go with the 37G because I can only fit anything upto 33" (36 would work (46 Bowfront), but without my closet door, so mom says no), and I have learned that bigger is better *thumbsups.
I am going to make some things come from the drawing pad on this one too. I was thinking of putting in a PVC maze beneath the sand for my eel. Probably 1" (big enough?) piping in the shape of an H or 0. Then I would trade out my CaribSea Florida Aragonite for some Hawaiian Black sand, not the Indo-Pacific that is half gray/black, the full on black stuff, and deeper...4". I would then want to make the background black. Right now, on my 45 I have a laminate sheet of black behind the two rear panels, but it lets in light for reflections and I am not completely satisfied. What do I need and where would I get stuff to paint the back panel? Do you paint inside or outside?
I'd change out the Turbo Snails (I don't like them) for a bunch of Nassarius/Cerith/Astrea Snails and a bunch more hermits, probably Blue Leg or Black/White Hawaiian. How many of each? 24 and 12 is what I was thinking.
Then I might also add some easy corals too, like Zoos and Mushrooms (I love Ricordias/Yumas!)
With the new sand bed and old LR, would cycling be needed? Would this help too? (Nitromax)
How would I go about transferring items? I was thinking of removing the LR and storing it in a plastic container with a little bit of water and possibly a heater, then draining the water from its 24" to 6" or so, and catch all the fish/inverts. Then I would take the aquarium out of its position and replace it with the new, add the LR, then sand, and finally water and equipment. (Wait?) Then add desired specimens. If the wait is too long for them to be in a bag, my LFS can hold them.
I think that that is all I have for right now. I want all the feedback I can get. Thanks MFT!
-Kevin C.
In addition to my 45, I was going to set up a 2.5 Pico, but went against it do to extreme maintenance issues. The evaporation would be high and water changes would be more frequent then I would be upto. So that has turned to a definite no.Today I went to my LFS to return an item, and saw a gorgeous AGA 37 gallon with stand for $320. I think the price is fair, but it is for an incredible cabinet. This thing is definitely upto nice furniture quality, solid wood, no laminate. It is the same brand my dad is getting for his incoming 210, BRI.
I am able to afford this right now, and all of my equipment will transfer *celebrate. My 45 gallon pentagonal prizm is PetSMart brand. I hate the change in views through the 3 front panels. I bought it as it would be the difference in the Oceanic 30g Cube, and it was more of an impulse buy, just to have the space. Then I went on to buy 30# of sand and 60# of LR. That was my good move. My next bad move would be leaving the 17W stock light on the tank for 4 months. Now all of the filtration and lighting is right, and that took until my 10th month. I think my main deal is I just dove into this waaay too fast. The best thing I did in the beginning was let the rock cycle for 1.5 months. Now here is my chance to fix myself.
My position..
I would be setting this up as a FOWLR again, as I like the beauty of coralline and crap on the rocks more than corals, and I can't afford them.
I think my tank is overstocked (although it is still at its limits) and I would like to bring the population density and bioload down.My current stocking list:
-3 Stripe Damsel
-Longnose Hawkfish
-Gold Stripe Maroon Clownfish Pair
-Coral Beauty Angel
-Fumanchu Lionfish
-Snowflake Eel
...and the biggie...
-Yellow Tang (I know, I know, Tang Police, hold your horses, I am admitting myself. I thought that a 45 was close enough to a 50, but now, after I have actually learned what I needed to before I began, I know it wasn't gallons, it was the 48"(Thanks MFT!). He will be gone, and I am sorry to those whom this offends.)
Invertebrates:
-Longspine Urchin
-Bubble Tip Anemone
-Rock Flower Anemone
-Emerald Mithrax Crab (1, the rest my eel ate, hehehe)
-Turbo Snails (4)
-Blue Leg Hermits (2, hitchikers)
Now, along with changing shape of the tank, I am going to change the stocking list. I would like to keep the following, but would also appreciate some outside views.
-Snowflake Eel (14")
-Fumanchu Lionfish (2")
-Female Clownfish (3.5")
-Male Clownfish (2")
-Longspine Urchin (6")
-Bubble Tip Anemone (6-7", but maybe get a much larger one)
I would like to keep the stocking light, and enjoy having to sit for a moment to see things, although the Tang is distracting. I have to go with the 37G because I can only fit anything upto 33" (36 would work (46 Bowfront), but without my closet door, so mom says no), and I have learned that bigger is better *thumbsups.
I am going to make some things come from the drawing pad on this one too. I was thinking of putting in a PVC maze beneath the sand for my eel. Probably 1" (big enough?) piping in the shape of an H or 0. Then I would trade out my CaribSea Florida Aragonite for some Hawaiian Black sand, not the Indo-Pacific that is half gray/black, the full on black stuff, and deeper...4". I would then want to make the background black. Right now, on my 45 I have a laminate sheet of black behind the two rear panels, but it lets in light for reflections and I am not completely satisfied. What do I need and where would I get stuff to paint the back panel? Do you paint inside or outside?
I'd change out the Turbo Snails (I don't like them) for a bunch of Nassarius/Cerith/Astrea Snails and a bunch more hermits, probably Blue Leg or Black/White Hawaiian. How many of each? 24 and 12 is what I was thinking.
Then I might also add some easy corals too, like Zoos and Mushrooms (I love Ricordias/Yumas!)
With the new sand bed and old LR, would cycling be needed? Would this help too? (Nitromax)
How would I go about transferring items? I was thinking of removing the LR and storing it in a plastic container with a little bit of water and possibly a heater, then draining the water from its 24" to 6" or so, and catch all the fish/inverts. Then I would take the aquarium out of its position and replace it with the new, add the LR, then sand, and finally water and equipment. (Wait?) Then add desired specimens. If the wait is too long for them to be in a bag, my LFS can hold them.
I think that that is all I have for right now. I want all the feedback I can get. Thanks MFT!
-Kevin C.
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